To dear daughter on your first day of School

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!*

My dearest dear Aamu,

Today morning when I opened my eyes, there was something magical about the moment. For the first few minutes I could not move, held captive by the realization that today will be your first day at school!  

 

Then I tiptoed into your room to steal a glance at you, my little one. There you were – up and awake and fussing about getting ready to embark on one of the most important sojourns of life – School. Your mom’s and my eyes met and I am sure we both felt the same thing – our baby is now grown up! 

Time, you old gypsy man,

Will you not stay,

Put up your caravan

Just for one day?**  

You saw and came bundling towards me. As I lovingly picked you and threw you up in the air and back to the safety of my arms; you squealed with delight. You did not want me to put you down; instead gave me one of those special Aamu hugs – a big tight wrap around squeeze with your little arms. I could sense your excitement on the events of this special today as much as you could sense mine. 

Oh, there is so much to share with you. But I hated to pull you out of that moment; you looked amazingly beautiful checking out your new school dress and new shoes (yes; those magical ones!) Pirouetting in front of the mirror like a ballerina; you asked your mom the tenth time to comment on your new get up. Yes sweetheart, you look like a fairy, I nodded in agreement with your mom. 

Hence I am writing this. You could read this once you are back from school or maybe we could go over this together when I return from office. 

Aamu, these are few tips that I am sharing with you, stuff that I and your mom learnt over the years. You could call this experience we want to pass on or simply put, the love and care of two over concerned and over anxious parents. Hahaha! (See, how nervous I am!) 

Ok. So let’s start. 

School –  Twinkle, Twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are? How you are?

 

Sweetie, school is an extension of home where you will have the friendliest of persons – your teacher to take care of you while you are away from us. Respect her. Love her. Listen to her. Ask her any question you want to. Hold her hand whenever you need comfort. Learn as much as you want to. School will also have other children like you. Play with them. Share with them your love and kindness and tiffin. Yes, yes even your favorite noodles! C’mon; mamma will pack you more. Remember; this is just the start – the beginning of an exciting phase in your life. 

Where elephants fly and fishes run

 

Darling, starting today you will learn so many new things. But; like I always tell you - do not believe everything you see or hear. Don’t be afraid to question. Be imaginative – the world is your canvas – splash it in the colors you want to. Mix your colors well. Use bold strokes. Paint the town pink, violet, indigo, magenta! So what if people say elephants can’t fly and fishes can’t run. Smile, roll your eyes over, tilt your head and say – yes, they can! Coz’ in your little heart you know they can. Wink, wink! 

Fight back, Fight hard

Sweetheart, in school you will find other boys and girls of your age. Reach out to them. Talk to them. Have fun with them. Climb trees with them. But when it comes to that one or two special ones choose wisely. These beautiful friendships; and it is okay if you have just one; will be for life. Remember there is no pressure of you belonging to any group. Trust your guts. Be bold. Say no – if there is something you do not want to do. Accept no bully. Oh! School will have many. Stand up for the one who is being bullied. Also don’t bully anyone. Fight back! Fight hard! No being sissy. But no name calling and hitting below the belt. Okay? 

Sssshhh……..I’ll tell Ma and Pa

Little one; now this is going to be tricky. Never do anything that you cannot share with your mom and dad or your teacher. Reach out to us if you find something amiss. Immediately! Whoever asks you to keep mum – beware! Remember you are in a school and not on a secret mission. Don’t worry about time or day or place or people – if you need to ask – ASK – ask for help; if you need to shout - SHOUT – shout for help.    

Well, that will be it for now. I see that you and your mom are almost ready; now it is my turn. After all; today is going to be my first day at your school too!  I promise I will rush back home in the evening, and then together; we can read this.  

Remember doll, you have such fine brains and such fine shoes (yes, those magical ones with wings) and you are off to a great start.  

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So...get on your way! 

And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.) 

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!* 

Trust your Baba, you will! (Am adding the remaining 1¼ percent) 

Love you my little monkey…and lotsa potsa hugs and kisses! 

God bless!

Yours Baba

 

*Quoted from Dr. Seuss “Oh, the Places You will Go!”

** By Ralph Hodgson